Scan Results - Anticlimax
SarahS
Hi Richard, I always find scans such an anticlimax. I spend days fretting about the results, really really anxious, and then when I get the all clear, it's like I don't know what to do with all the stress!
I haven't reached the five year point yet - it feels like I'm tempting fate even writing that - but I can imagine not quite knowing how to deal with it.
I'm less good at the positivity around scans, so it would be good to hear how you manage that!
Excellent news on the all clear though, did you celebrate?
RichardB
Hi Sarah, sorry I don't have a magic bullet for being positive about scans.
Generally, I have a glass half full rather than half empty outlook on life. Apart from the very first colonoscopy result which I had on the same day whilst still on happy cloud from the relaxant, the only scan result which really knocked me back was when I was told two years after surgery that my previously "all clear" bowel cancer had reappeared as 4 small tumours in my liver.
During the past 5 years I have had superb NHS treatment and totally trust the oncology team looking after me. I have had two màjor operations and two 6 month chemo treatments and about 14 scans of various types. Non of the treatments have been unbearable (yes at times uncomfortable) so I can honestly say that with this past experience, if I had to go a third round then that's what I will dò!
I suppose my attitude is fear the worst, because I WILL COPE WITH IT, but hope for the best. Hence on my last scan the feeling of anticlimax when given the all clear. Have got over it now and quite happy to get on with the next 6 months until ...........the next scan!
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Hi
In company with others, I have come to this forum via the recent Daily Mail article. Although I found some content of the article alien to my own experience, it did make me stop and think about my feelings following a recent "all clear" scan result. I am now in the fifth year of my cancer journey (bowel and liver) and have always tried to maintain a positive, upbeat approach to all stages of my treatment programme. This most recent scan was a 3 month follow up to a previous 6 month follow up which showed my liver was all clear, BUT one slightly enlarged lymph node in the paraaortic area. Perversely, I think that my positive attitude had subconciously prepared me for another secondary encounter. On hearing "its good news, there are no further changes, we will scan again in six months" I just felt a massive ÀNTICLIMAX rather than joy and jubilation. Two weeks on from the result I still have doubts about beìng all clear. Hàs anyone else had the same experience?